In top photo, the 2026 Guadalupe Torches were placed on a platform and carried in procession before the Mass began Oct. 24 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The torches were lit during the Mass celebrated by Father Erwin Candelaria, parochial vicar of the Cathedral. Mike Ehrmann photo
By Angelica Chicaiza, Correspondent
The Blessed Mother “is the living torch that shows interior fire is the love of God,” Father Erwin Candelaria, vicar of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, told those gathered for the Mass marking the start of the 11th annual Lighting of the Torches, “Las Antorchas Guadalupanas.”
“She is the torch that took God’s light into the world. When Juan Diego felt small, she met him where he was at and gave him her fire of her care and tenderness and said to him those infamous words, ‘Am I not here, I who am your mother?’” Father Candelaria said.
He noted that the Guadalupe torches being blessed that night were simply pieces of plastic.
PHOTO GALLERY: Lighting of 2026 Guadalupe Torches
“What makes the torch valuable is the light,” he said during his homily for Oct. 24 Mass in Trenton.
The light is what inspired Encarnación Cortés, who participated in the vigil for the first time. She emphasized that “the light, the light, the light” was what inspired her to travel to Trenton from St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
“I hope that people learn that they should continue doing this and teaching it to our young people, because they are the future of tomorrow, and we must instill those traditions in our children,” said Cortés.
This year’s celebration has the theme, “Mother of All.”
Weeks of celebration
Jossie Ramos, coordinator of Hispanic initiatives, Diocese of Trenton, said the 24 torches blessed at the vigil would be carried to about 30 parishes and schools throughout the diocese. The celebration ends Dec. 4, with a closing Mass and celebration, live and online, in St. Joseph Parish, Toms River.
The opening ceremony was full of color and culture honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe through music, dancing and traditions.
Clever Heredia of St. Mark Parish, Sea Girt, said the torches tradition was “about feeling sheltered and protected by our Mother. And who could be more protective than our own mother, right?” he said. This year is his first as captain of a torch team, and he said that his devotion to Mary is what motivates him.
“I am completely in love with her,” he said.
Mariachi Huitzilin played for the event, and Rayito Ligero Juárez, originally from Mexico, explained the band is a family effort.
“I come with all my faith to enjoy this opportunity that the Diocese of Trenton is giving us, so we can come and experience what we feel for Our Lady of Guadalupe,” she said.
“I would like parents to involve their children, young people and children, so they continue preserving our customs and traditions from Mexico,” she added.
Michael Duenas of St. Mary Parish, Colts Neck, said the mariachi music was one of the things he enjoyed most, “to see so many people happy and smiling. And the singing was just wonderful.”
Love her son
Duenas and his wife, Rita, have been serving their parish for over 30 years and this year were selected as captains for the Tilma torch.
“I loved the homily that the priest gave,” said Rita Duenas. “I thought that was very important … that we’re gonna be bringing the light of Jesus through our Mary, Our Lady.”
Judith Soto of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Burlington is another first-time torch captain.
“What is important is the message that Our Lady brings us, which is a message of love,” she said. “The message is that we’re all gathered here together to recognize the love that our Mother brings us and that she’s always with us.
“Today, with the warmth of all the torches lit at the same time, you just feel the warmth of our Mother embracing us and being with us in these difficult times,” she said. “It’s a calling that all she wants is for us to love her Son, Jesus. That’s all she wants from us.”
